Olney 7 Buckingham 18

For the second week running Buckingham were involved in a local derby game, this time against Olney in what turned out to be a highly charged and fiesty competitive encounter., with both sides playing a similar style of rugby and also on a good winning run.

From the kick-off Buckingham made their intentions clear as they attempted an early attack through their threequarters only to be caught offside. However the pressure paid off as Olney were penalised twice within two minutes, and Andy White was on target with the second to give the visitors a three point advantage after five minutes of play.
The pulsating encounter kept the large crowd on their toes as play flowed from end to end,powerful running by Steve Miller at fullback caused problems throughout for the Olney defence, similarly their backs brought the best out of Buckingham with Rob Lairds devestating tackles stemming the flow.

Early injuries to Tom Amos and Andrew Jackson disrupted the Buckingham pattern of play but Tom Cook on as a replacement in the backs played his part therafter.The visitors continued to create opportunities with the mazy running of James Bernard a constant threat, and a kick to the corner by White nearly resulting in a try for the forwards, and a run by Pat Ockendon soon after likewise.Olney in turn had their chances thwarted by resolute defending, before Theo Mettenheimer was forced into touch just short.The first forty minutes ended with no further score and the game up for grabs for both sides.

Five minutes after the restart Buckingham made the important break through,when the ball was recovered after a good Olney touch by Phil Wright at his best throughout the game and he broke out of defence to set the threes in motion,though the first attack was halted another thrust from Cook was followed by Millers entry into the line his searing pace taking him through to score under the posts. Whites conversion giving Buckingham a solid ten point lead in what never going to be a high scoring game.

Buckingham were now having the most of the play with Seth Williams and Miller close though Olney almost got clear saved by a tackle from White which the referee adjudged high and waved his yellow card.Buckingham made light of the disadvantage and another superb break by Bernard took him well into the Olney twenty-two before he was hauled down, the supporting Cook just unable to gather the pass.

With fifteen minutes played Olney were penalised for not releasing and Cook stepped up to slot the ball over and Buckingham leading 13-0.Three minutes later with Buckingham on the attack, the Olney left wing intercepted a pass and ran on to score under the posts for a seven pointer, but Whites return gave full strength Buckingham added impetus and two penalties from him took play well into Olney territory.
Finally good hands amongst forwards and backs took the ball through several phases White almost over, then play was switched the other way and Wright bullocked his way through to score in the corner.
Olney were not about to give up their unbeaten record at home all season and pounded the Buckingham line for the remaining minutes.However with Charlie Smith stealing a crucial Olney throw on the five metre line and the forwards holding a series of Olney scrums the games was theirs and rightly so.